New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-18
IN IMPORTANT REFORM.

There are many reasons why the fact that
| the Republicans have secured majority in both
houses of the Legislature is matter for
,, public congratulation. One of the chief Of
them Is that it may almost be said to insure
the passage of law requiring the expenses Of
printing and distributing election ballots to DO
paid out OF the public treasury. This does not
mean that the bill should. or WILL be presented
as n party measure. There is nothing in the
nature OF the proposed reform which is in the
cast partisan, or that will help ono party any
more than another. But it is a singular fact
that the mass Of Democrats. or, ut least. Of
Democratic politicians, are usually to be found
IN opposition to any law throwing safeguards
around the suffrage. II we rccollcct Alright,
every important measure against election frauds
that has been carried Of late years has been
pushed through mainly by Republicans and in
spite Of Democratic opposition. The Rcpub-
lican members Of the Legislature will be more
than glad Of course, to have such n bill 90
through by common consent. rs cmbodying
reform demanded by the better sense Of both
parties, and they will hope in any event. to
have some aid from the more enlightened Dem
ocratS. We are glad TO see, by the way. that
The World" is earnestly in favor Of this re-
form. and We hope it may succeed IN arouSing
I sentiment within the Democratic party in its
favor But the Republicans have the votes
to pass it unaidcd if necessary. and they
should be prepared TO do so. The Republican
papers throughout the state will do n public
service by urging the question upon the attcn-
ton Of their readers. and so creating public
opinion which the Legislature will find ire
SiStiblc. We say a public service. because it is
apparent to all thoughtful men that such law
will do more to purify campaign methods and
prevent bribery than any other agency, exist
lng or prospective.
The absence Of such law is legal ncon-
siStcncy The law requires printed ballots
with n certain style Of type, but it makes no
provision for the printing or distribution Of
them. This is illogical. The printing and
distribution Of ballots is as properly a function
Of the Government as the receiving and count
ing. Tho cost Of the work would be much
smaller under the Government than it is now,
lnaSmuch rs each party prints many times the
number OF ballots it can possibly hope to cast,
and often candidates have many printed on
their own account. The ballots would be given
out by the election officers. and it would not
be necessary 10 man the boxes" thus doing
away with one indirect hut influential form Of
bribery. In these and other ways the expenses
would be much reduced. and these would be
borne by the public as they should be. Can
ddatcS would no longer be subjected TO cnor-
nous assessments, as they are now, 10 meet
h" inevitable and legitimate expenses Of an
election, which the existing law entails. but
makes no provision to meet. thus opening the
way to corruption in Office There could be
no trading" by party workers. bribery
would be diminished. if care is taken. as has
been done in ENGLAND to insure a really secret
ballot by providing that the voter shall be
alone in the room with the election officers
when he votes. As a rule. brlbcrs Will not buy
votes when they cannot see them delivered.
Some nice adjustment will be necessary in
adapting the law to the conditions here, which
differ so much from those in England. Tho
English elections are comparatively simple
affairs Our long lists Of officers TO be voted
fer are unknown there. II is just possible that
the NcwYork voter will be a little diSmaycd
Z he first time he receives his long ballots con-
taning the names Of all the candidates for
each Office. on which he is 30 mark his choice
But the system will be simple enough, even
here, and presents no serious difficulties.